Chapter 77

The intense cold emanating from Raon's sword spread like the wind, and the ground began to freeze over, turning white.

"Ice? Water attribute?"

Even the Blood Fiend's yellow eyes showed signs of panic.

"Following the absurdly strong fire aura, now a water aura? What are you really?"

The freezing aura that matched the power of the Fire Mage's flames seemed to be a novelty even to the Blood Fiend, whose gruff voice now carried a hint of surprise.

"What do you want to know for?"

Raon twisted his sword, and the coldness that enveloped the blade shot out like a beam of light.

"Huh, sword aura too?"

The Blood Fiend let out a hollow laugh and thrust out his fist. His rock-like fist shattered the white sword aura.

Although the sword aura he had launched with full force was broken, Raon's gaze remained calm.

'The power of cold is not just for attack.'

With a sound like a lake freezing over, white ice began to sprout on the back of the Blood Fiend's hand.

"This is…"

The Blood Fiend frowned and glared at his frozen hand. He tried to clench his fist, but it didn't seem to work well.

"Have you reached the stage of attribute mastery? You truly are a limitless one."

"…"

Without letting his tension drop, Raon launched another sword aura filled with intense cold.

'I can't let my guard down.'

If he lets his guard down just because his attack is slightly effective, he might lose his head in one blow.

He must keep defense in mind while attacking and constantly change his position by stepping in different directions.

"This brat…"

The Blood Fiend, instead of throwing his fist as before, rotated his body to dodge the sword aura.

Swoosh!

Raon wielded his sword, using the intense cold to the extreme. The bone-chilling cold that emanated from the blade filled the space.

Rumble!

The ground froze, and the air temperature dropped, gradually slowing down the Blood Fiend's movements.

'This was worth observing.'

Raon glanced at Lu Nan, who was biting her lip. Thanks to observing how she spread frost, he could easily unleash the cold aura.

"Ugh…"

The Blood Fiend moved incessantly to avoid the cold on the ground and in the air and the sword aura Raon launched.

The Blood Fiend's once fierce and swift punches gradually slowed down and weakened.

"Kyaah! You little rat!"

The Blood Fiend let out a roar and swung his fist.

Whoosh!

Raon turned his ankle to dodge the punch and slashed again. The icy sword aura split the air in half.

"Grgh!"

The Blood Fiend retreated, groaning as he tried to avoid the cold.

It was clear that Raon had the upper hand, but the tension in his deep eyes did not wane. He wielded his sword with even more intensity than when the fight began.

'The opportunity hasn't come yet.'

* * *

"Huff! Huff!"

After warning everyone, Buren returned to the village with ten trainees.

The center of the village was in ruins, as if hit by a magical bombardment. One side was on fire, and the other was frozen solid, creating a bizarre scene.

Boom!

He turned his head at the sound from the left. In fact, his head had already turned before the sound even began.

Raon, with a blue light surrounding his sword, was engaged in close combat with the Blood Fiend, exchanging sword and fist.

'Sword aura? When did that kid become a Sword Expert…'

Using sword aura means reaching the lower level of Sword Expert. To be a lower-level Expert at 15 is astonishing even in this situation.

'No, wait! Raon's aura!'

Buren's shock didn't end with the sword aura. His eyes nearly popped out when he saw the cold emanating from Raon's sword.

'Cold?'

A more chilling and sharp cold aura than Lu Nan's. The thought of him hiding this until now made Buren laugh hollowly.

'Cold aura and Expert level. Just how far have you come?'

The martial artists of the continent divide strength into several stages.

Sword, spear, bow, fist. Regardless of the weapon, these stages apply to all. When one masters aura, they are called a Beginner.

After progressing from lower, middle, and upper Beginner levels and becoming familiar with aura, one reaches the User stage, where they can imbue their weapon with aura.

The User stage also has lower, middle, and upper levels, and above that is the Expert stage, where one can emit aura from their weapon.

This is the stage where one can use sword aura, the stage Raon was currently at.

The Blood Fiend was known to be at the highest level of Expert or even Master.

The sight of Raon, a lower-level Expert, pushing back the Blood Fiend, who was far above him, made Buren's heart race.

"Huff."

Buren shivered.

'Monster…'

The Blood Fiend, whose surroundings exploded with each punch, seemed less terrifying than Raon, who was facing him.

It wasn't just because Raon could use two types of aura and had reached the Expert stage at a young age.

Swordsmanship and footwork.

The basic swordsmanship and footwork that anyone could know, yet the way Raon used them against the Blood Fiend sent shivers down Buren's spine.

Clang!

Raon's movements were remarkable. Like a young petal in a typhoon, he used the wind pressure from the Blood Fiend's punches to dodge.

This was only possible with immense effort, and Raon was a monster of effort.

'But…'

Raon's attacks were sharp, but they didn't cause significant damage to the Blood Fiend. Only the Blood Fiend's right arm was frozen white.

'Still, the difference in power is clear. Then…'

While observing the battle, Buren narrowed his eyes. Raon glanced at him as he slashed his sword.

'This is…'

Perhaps because they had been together for over three years, Buren could immediately understand the meaning behind Raon's glance.

'It means he wants help.'

The kid was creating an opening and signaling to attack together.

"Hmm…"

He looked to his sides.

Marta and Lu Nan had also read Raon's intention and were quickly channeling their aura, ready to move at any moment.

'Right. The Blood Fiend is nothing. We are Zighart.'

He clenched his fist and drew the aura from his dantian. Feeling the rising green wind, he drew his sword.

'We are saving this place!'

Buren, with wide eyes, focused on Raon and the Blood Fiend's battle.

Not knowing when or how to join, he regulated his breathing and continuously channeled his aura.

Just as he was sweating from watching the two monsters' battle,

Raon's sword strike hit the Blood Fiend's left hand.

Crack!

With a sound like icicles forming, the Blood Fiend's hand froze solid.

"Now! Pour everything out!"

Buren had already moved before Raon spoke.

Boom!

He kicked off the ground, raised his sword, and charged at the Blood Fiend.

The same sound came from the right and left. Lu Nan and Marta were also charging.

Rumble!

The aura from the swords held by Buren, Lu Nan, and Marta rose like a sun that erased the night.

"Thi…"

The Blood Fiend, looking flustered, shook his frozen hands and gritted his teeth.

'We can win!'

Seeing the Blood Fiend's flustered face, Buren felt confident. Victory was in sight.

Rumble!

Just as the three were about to unleash their strongest sword strikes at the Blood Fiend's vital points,

"A…"

"Uh?"

Buren, Lu Nan, and Marta looked up at the suddenly heavy air. They all widened their eyes as if by agreement.

Roar.

The Blood Fiend's flustered eyes had turned as cold as ice.

Seeing his refined, yet insane, eyes, Buren's heart sank.

Crack!

The air distorted with the Blood Fiend's wicked smile.

"I've been waiting. You insects."

* * *

Boom!

The Blood Fiend extended his aura-filled fist. The ground crumbled under the wind pressure that accompanied the punch.

But Raon withstood the wind pressure and launched his sword. The icy, blue sword strike pierced the Blood Fiend's shoulder.

"Grgh…"

The Blood Fiend's yellow eyes flared, and he gritted his teeth.

But there was no trace of hesitation or anger in his heart, only interest and anticipation.

'A genius who will be recorded in the history of the continent.'

Despite his appearance and skin, the kid was still in his mid-teens and could freely use sword aura, fire, and water attributes.

A genius with the potential to become the strongest on the continent someday.

'However…'

This is only if the kid grows as he is.

The Blood Fiend looked around. Even the three kids behind Raon were not ordinary talents.

Swoosh!

Raon's sword aura thinly sliced the Blood Fiend's chest, but his heart did not waver.

It was natural.

Despite appearing to be losing, he had not used even a tenth of his true power.

Huff.

The Blood Fiend exhaled a warm breath from under his helmet.

He couldn't help but laugh. The thrill of crushing the hope of these young sprouts made his spine tingle.

Swoosh!

Raon released a sharp sword aura at the perfect moment.

"Grgh!"

The Blood Fiend, despite being able to dodge, seemed flustered and blocked the sword aura with his left arm.

Crack!

White coldness rose, and his hand began to freeze.

"Now! Pour everything out!"

Following Raon's command, Lu Nan, Buren, and Marta, who were building their strength, charged at the Blood Fiend.

Boom!

Buren's sword carried the wind, Marta poured all the earth's energy, and Lu Nan spread icy coldness like icicles on her blade.

The three channeled all their aura and unleashed their strongest sword strikes.

Rumble!

Raon charged straight at the Blood Fiend, wielding a sword that burned blue.

"Kyaah!"

The Blood Fiend laughed in that moment of crisis. It was the moment his prey was perfectly ensnared.

Boom!

The ogre's helmet glowed yellow. The white ice that had trapped his hand shattered, and an immense aura soared.

"I've been waiting. You insects."

The moment the young ones of Zighart charged, aiming for his weakness, was the moment to plunge them into the depths of despair.

Boom!

The tangible yellow light on the Blood Fiend's hands exploded. The tangible aura that completely covered his giant hands.

Ki.

The proof of a Master, Ki, burned like hellfire from his hands.

"Damn!"

"Ki, Ki!"

The Ki that could crush space itself could not be blocked unless by another Ki.

Lu Nan, Marta, and Buren's faces turned from hope to despair.

"A…"

"It's over!"

The Blood Fiend, with a laugh filled with excitement, swung his fist. The rock-like Ki fell, and the children's eyes darkened.

'What about you?'

He sent his final glance to the blonde kid. To enjoy the look of despair in his eyes one last time.

But.

"Huh?"

The Blood Fiend's eyes widened. Raon's eyes showed neither despair nor hope.

A calm gaze. Only the intent to kill the enemy filled his eyes.

Boom!

An unprecedented, overwhelming killing intent enveloped Raon's blade.

"I wasn't the only one waiting."